Overseas workers’ welfare our main concern — Cayetano

FOREIGN Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano yesterday said the Philippines wants a more practical commitment from Kuwait to be able to provide better protection and ensure the welfare of thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) having problems in Kuwait.

Cayetano at the same time admitted that the Philippines’ and Kuwait’s bilateral relationship is “going through a very rocky period” following the deaths of several OFWs and the cases of abuse of Filipinos working in Kuwait.

“We’re going through a rocky period sa ating relationship, but I think there’s gonna be some firm commitments and some resolutions. This is having a cascading effect din sa ibang mga host countries,” he told reporters in a press conference.

“The relationship is important, but we have to communicate to them na core interest natin yung people natin, yung OFWs...They’re responding positively, but we want firm commitments and we want fast action,” he said.